If the president can no longer serve, who becomes president?

When the president can no longer serve due to reasons such as resignation, removal, death, or incapacitation, the Constitution specifies that the Vice President is to assume the presidency. This succession is outlined in the Presidential Succession Act and is a critical component of ensuring stable and uninterrupted governance.

The Vice President is specifically positioned as the next in line to take over the presidential duties, maintaining continuity in leadership. This arrangement reflects the design of the U.S. government to safeguard against potential power vacuums that could arise from the president's inability to fulfill their role.

Other positions, like the Secretary of State or the Speaker of the House, do not have constitutional authority to ascend to the presidency under these circumstances, making the succession line clear and orderly with the Vice President in the forefront. The Chief Justice, while an important role in the judiciary, also does not hold a position in the presidential line of succession.